First Session of NASCAR Preseason Thunder

*New Dodge Charger unveiling also to highlight session

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 29, 2004) – Reigning NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Kurt Busch, four-time series champ Jeff Gordon and defending Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be among the featured media guests during the first session of NASCAR Preseason Thunder scheduled for Jan. 11-13 at Daytona International Speedway.

The trio will be part of a 10-driver contingent that will be made available to the media in the Daytona International Speedway media center during the first of two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series sessions of NASCAR Preseason Thunder. The first session consists of the drivers whose owners finished in the odd-numbered positions of their respective championship standings. Some drivers, however, have switched sessions with NASCAR’s approval.

Each test day runs from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. The media availability periods are scheduled prior to the start of the sessions, at the lunch break (12-1 p.m.) and at the conclusion of the afternoon practices.

The opening session of NASCAR Preseason Thunder kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 11, beginning at 8 a.m., with the official unveiling of the new Dodge Charger that will compete in the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Special Dodge guests also are expected for the event. It will be followed by a champion’s lunch session as Busch will come into the media center at noon and be followed by Gordon at 12:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the afternoon test session, Kyle Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series runner-up, will be available to discuss his move to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports as well as being a 2005 Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate.

On Wednesday, Jan. 12, the lunch-break session will feature Elliott Sadler, who finished a career-best ninth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship, at noon and Earnhardt Jr., who captured the Daytona 500 last season en route to a fifth-place finish in the championship, at 12:30 p.m. At the close of the afternoon session, Matt Kenseth, the 2003 series champion, will visit the media center.
On Thursday, Jan. 13, the morning media session will feature two other competitors from the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. Ryan Newman, who finished seventh in the title race, will be in at 8 a.m., and Jeremy Mayfield, who finished 10th, arrives at 8:30 a.m.

The lunch session will feature Dale Jarrett, the 1999 series champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner, at noon and Jamie McMurray, who finished 11th in last season’s championship, at 12:30 p.m.
Additional drivers may be made available and will be announced during the session.

The second NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series session of NASCAR Preseason Thunder will be held Jan. 18-20 at Daytona International Speedway and feature such drivers as 2004 series runner-up Jimmie Johnson and veteran stars Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin. A full media schedule will be announced at a later date.

NASCAR PRESEASON THUNDER MEDIA SCHEDULE – SESSION I

TUESDAY, JAN. 11

Morning – Dodge Charger unveiling, 8 a.m.
Lunch – Kurt Busch, Noon; Jeff Gordon, 12:30 p.m.
Afternoon – Kyle Busch, following final session

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12

Lunch – Elliott Sadler, Noon; Dale Earnhardt Jr., 12:30 p.m.
Afternoon – Matt Kenseth, following final session

THURSDAY, JAN. 13

Morning – Ryan Newman, 8 a.m.; Jeremy Mayfield, 8:30 a.m.
Lunch – Dale Jarrett, Noon; Jamie McMurray, 12:30 p.m.
Afternoon – TBD.